URL Basics 101 - Database Access 101

For those who  need a refresher n URL's, here are the basics of URL's, database access and the new "geolocation" URL movement.   

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For every database there may be multiple access portals. 

For every database there are multiple access scenarios:

• URL for generic access   [Ex.  Go.grolier.com    http://search.ebscohost.com/  Tumblebooks.com   Brainpop.com - These usually prompt you for a password
• Embedded URL’s  - sometimes are embedded with a “location” code
• Embedded URL’s  -  sometimes with a “username and password”  (not all vendors offer this approach as anyone from your website would in theory be able to "enter" with the username and password embedded URL.  These URL's are supposed to be hidden behind a password-protected page. 
• Now there are also, "Geolocation URL's  (Gale and EBSCO are moving to those for NOVEL products). A Geo location URL works like "caller ID" and the vendor knows who you are, or that you are from "NY" and will allow the NOVELny Products. 
• URL's that point to a "family" of products, often called a "host URL" - such as  http://go.grolier.com 
• Product  specific URL's that have the specific database pointer so that you only get a specific product within the "family"  (examples below) or, a specific “group” of products within the family – see these Grolier examples:

o   AMA.grolier.com = Amazing Animals (AMA.grolier.com)
 (However, upon clicking the URL may  “redirect” )

o   NBK.grolier.com = New Book of Knowledge ( NBK.grolier.com)

o   GME.grolier.com  = multimedia encyclopedia (GME.grolier.com)

o   EA.grolier.com  = Encyclopedia Americana (EA.grolier.com)

o   ATB.grolier.com  =  America the Beautiful  (ATB.grolier.com) 

o   LP.grolier.com = Lands and Peoples (LP.grolier.com) 

o   NBPS.grolier.com  = New Book of Popular Science (NBPS.grolier.com) 

o   For Elementary School: http://go-elem.grolier.com

o   For Middle Schools: http://go-middle.grolier.com

o   For High School: http://go-high.grolier.com

o   For Adult Patrons: http://go-patron.grolier.com

o   For Librarians/Educators: http://go-library.grolier.com

o   For GO Kids: http://go.grolier.com/kids

o   For GO Passport: http://go.grolier.com/passport

IP addresses which also work as authentication rather than a username and password.  This approach works within the building, but remotely students need “usernames and passwords” to get in.   This IP authentication works like “caller ID”  Where they know who you are and what you are calling for…so they let you in to the “products” to which you subscribe. 

NOVEL NY  Changes - URL's and access: 

In May the state announced they were eliminating Searchasaurus.  (We communicated this multiple times and sent around usage statistics to every district so assess whether they would like to order this.)   There was some question about the alternative elementary products provided by NOVEL.  Here are the two “new” elementary products now provided via NOVEL:

Proquest product:

·        

 www.proquestk12.com/myproducts    or

http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/libweb/k6/do/search

GALE products:  

 These images can be used: 

 

The geo-location ID's are ready for GALE and Proquest NOVEL products.Visit the NOVELNY URL geo location page: 

 http://galesupport.com/novelny/#   

Choose:  Direct Database URL's link.

CAVEAT:  I had to search this NOVEL geolocation generator twice:

• Once with the "nysl_ca_wswhes"  (substituting your letter code for wswhe,) and 
• Once with just "wswhe"  

For Proquest URL's you will need to place in only the "letters" within your ID such as wswhes  - and then search the list for your Proquest URL. You can generate your NOVEL Geolocation access URL's for either a general host address (all products)  or the "power search" URL.  

When I went to this page, I searched the list (via a Control +F) for "washington"  and then scrolled the list until I came across my URL:  

http://galesupport.com/novelGeo/novelGeoLink.php?wac=59-28466&db=ELIBE  

Knowing this geolocation access URL (sample above), I can now substitute any product code for the ELIBE  and get a direct access URL for Gale products. (See examples below)   
  

Go to the other URL generator to find the "product" acronym substitution for the specific product you want.  
This way you will have a direct access URL via Geolocation!  http://galesites.com/directurls/    

Welcome Back!

We trust you are all back-to-work and excited to face another year of challenges, change, and student achievement!    Welcome.  Please read the highlights below and mark some dates in your calendar for whatever interests you.  We have tried to schedule PD that will help librarians wrap their heads around the CCSS and prepare you to be a building leader.     Please try to read the emails (at least scan them) that I send out weekly, if possible.  Very often I get questions on items that really were addressed in an email.   It’s fairly obvious when people post on the listserv, or ask questions that were previously answered…FYI. We are happy to answer questions, even a second time.  Usually, I try to anticipate needs and feed information to you ahead of time, if possible.

Reading Passports are being printed and will be sent to your school, if you requested those via our link in June.   The print shop was backlogged with district calendars and newsletters so our passports were delayed.

Please send us any staffing changes (emails included) for changes in your library.

Save the dates:        October 16th will be our General Membership Meeting.   We welcome all librarians to attend to kick off the year with poignant PD catered just for you!   We will be spotlighting the new research initiative from NYS, Close Reading and the Library, Mentor Texts, and more.            October 28th the SLS and Model Schools will host a joint – PD day Information, Technology & Higher Level Thought: Best Practices showcase.  This session will model how technology and information can be partnered to support Common Core objectives.            December 12th – Marc Aaronson,  Non-Fiction and the Common Core – This is jointly sponsored with Cap Region, HFM, and Questar BOCES and we will be limited to 25 seats.  This will be held at the Clifton Park Public Library        November 22nd – Research to Build and Present Knowledge    Mike DeCaprio and I will present the NYS Research Initiative and how to roll-this out in your building.   This is intended for Librarians and ELA educators.

Welcome our new colleagues:                Allison Lattimore, Hudson Falls High School (replaced Don Winyall)  Annie Miller, Kensington Road Elementary  Glens Falls City Schools  Gary Walsh – St. Mary’s Ballston Spa (replaced Gail King)    Monica Parmenter   - New Ballston Spa Elementary School “Gordon Creek”    Joan Rocco is a new TA at Mechanicville Elementary who will be covering the library there.  Susan                 Starr has moved to a 2nd grade classroom.

NOVEL NY  Changes: For those of you who haven’t heard…  NYS NOVEL  purchased “Opposing Viewpoints”  for everyone in the state.   All of the NOVEL resources they are trying to get accessed via “geo-location” IP identification, so that someone accessing from an IP within NYS will not have to enter a username and password.   Those geo-location URL’s will be different from the individual URL’s that are generated below.      To get UNIQUE  URL’s for Gale products (including the new NOVEL resources)  please enter your GALE id (yellow highlighted code) into the box at this URL :   http://galesites.com/directurls/   nysl_ca_wswhes    Your URL’s will then be generated.    I will try to send out the geo-location URL’s later in a specific email with all NOVEL products.   If you had purchased Opposing Viewpoints for your district, you will be given 150% credit towards Gale eBooks or ALL FOUR other GALE secondary databases for free this year.    The 8 districts who had purchased this prior to the announcement, will receive a specific email later with details.

If you are interested in Battle of the Books, we will hold an online discussion on Monday September 16th, at 3:00.  You may come to BOCES in person for the meeting, if you prefer.  Please save the time and we will send out directions.  It will probably be held via webinar.     For the most part, the books will remain the same and we are seeking some substitutions.

Consider this free webinar... Join us for the next LMC @ The Forefront webinar! Guided Inquiry Design and the Common Core Tuesday, September 17, 2013- 4PM Eastern Time In This Session The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are upon us. As we are in a time of great transition with these new expectations, we can react with dismay or see it as a grand opportunity for change. These standards tell us what to teach but do not tell us how. This is the opportunity. Right now, we have a chance to shift to the needs of today's learners through an inquiry approach. Guided Inquiry Design is a new framework based on researched principles of learning that include an integrated process approach to subject area content, and is set up to be a powerful way to accomplish the rigor required of the Common Core. This session will inspire you, and will include how to use Guided Inquiry Design to achieve rigor, college and career readiness, in a learning centered approach necessary to meet the CCSS. To Participate in the Live Session - Login at www.instantpresenter.com/edwebnet8 at the scheduled time. - There is no pre-registration for this event. - This webinar will be recorded and archived in this community for viewing at anytime. About the Presenter Leslie K. Maniotes, PhD, is an administrator in the Denver Public Schools as well as a curriculum specialist and national consultant on inquiry learning.

Thanks for Kali Nagler and Sue Demick who are representing our region on the ENYSLMA board.  Please consider joining this organization.  See the membership application attached to this email.    Here’s Sue’s recent message that was sent to our listserv: Hi all,  I am the new ENSLYMA person for our BOCES system.  Below is a great program that you might enjoy.  I highly recommend Tailored Tea.  Really yummy!  The membership for is also included.  Have a great school year!  Sue Demick ENYSLMA invites you to hear HIS STORY on Saturday, October 5, 2013. Come enjoy a private Murder Mystery Tour of Historic Cherry Hill at 9:30 am, followed by lunch at The Tailored Tea at 12:30 pm.  More information about this opportunity is detailed in the registration form attached. If you are not already a member of ENYSLMA, or you need to renew, a membership form is also attached for your convenience. Attendance is limited for our fall event, so please register by Friday, September 20th. We hope to see you soon! Look for Fall events posted on the site,  http://www.enyslma.org/  and on our Facebook page, as Kali recommended.

OPALS   24-7  Single Login database access will be up and running shortly. All configurations have been made for Opals customers, and we are aware that there are certain “missing” smaller vendor products at this point.  Look for these by the end of September.   In addition, Sharon will be querying you to ask which NOVEL products you might want “removed” (such as “Business and Company Resource Center”  from the elementary menus).

Looking Ahead...  Consider applying to present at this year's NYLA Section of School Librarians (SSL) Conference:  Expect More: Exploring Excellence in Education NYLA - SSL 2014 Conference April 24th, 25th & 26th 515 Montgomery St, Syracuse, NY 13202 Syracuse, New York @ Oncenter Hello Everyone, NYLA - SSL (New York Library Association Section of School Libraries) is calling for workshop proposals for our 2014 Conference which will be in Syracuse @ the OnCenter.  We are switching up the format and will have a Supertech Saturday along with a Nonfiction Common Core themed Friday.   We are looking for workshops, poster sessions, and much much more.   Check out our website for more information. We are working on the schedule so if possible if you are interested in presenting, bringing a poster for our poster sessions, or anything other presentation type medium please submit an application today.  If you are unsure if your idea would fix and want feedback please due let us know.  Library Students, teacher partners are welcome as well. The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 1, 2013 at 11:59 p.m Submissions will only be accepted via the online form on the CNYSL website. Email, mail, or fax submissions will not be accepted. Website:  http://cnysl.weebly.com/2014-ssl-conference.html

S.L.O. and the librarian

SLO and APPR—Your “roster” or lack thereof…  Someone inquired about any “new” information regarding librarian rosters or lack-thereof and APPR regulations. 

This is not an easy answer.   It is a labyrinthine formula that has been questioned, scrutinized, and answered 2 different ways.   However, Courtney has this language below that may help you interpret everything.  If you go to the link she provided, you will find “librarian” in the document 10 times.   Courtney is no longer at WSWHE BOCES, but now she is at  NYSED.  This language below should give you some hope of avoiding the SLO measure. 

Basically,  the teacher review process will come down to a local decision.  All teachers should be evaluated, but this document actually exempts you from the SLO language “growth measure”  required in the APPR RttT  legislation agreement.  Each year, a district has to have their APPR “plan” reviewed and approved by NYSED. They have to state how they are evaluating everyone. 

Many districts have chosen to use the APPR approved tool for librarians as an alternative.  This is listed on the state website at this link:
http://usny.nysed.gov/rttt/teachers-leaders/practicerubrics/#ATPR

http://usny.nysed.gov/rttt/teachers-leaders/practicerubrics/Docs/nyla-rubric.pdf  

Here’s what I was told from a state official:  

From: Jablonski, Courtney
Sent: Friday, March 01, 2013 10:51 AM
To: Jaeger, Paige
Subject: RE: SLO question for you

Hi Paige-

The regulations state that only educators with 40% or more of their time defined as instructional-   teacher of record (i.e. scheduled courses) are mandated to be part of the "new" teacher evaluation.  Therefore many districts are not creating SLOs, local measures, or using observation for those professionals with less than 40% of their time on record as instructional work. Instead those employees would be connected to whatever evaluation plan was in place prior to this regulation unless negotiated differently.

I have attached the link to the APPR Guidance document that this guidance comes from, section B3 (instructional support service reference and librarian reference) and  B12 are sections that can help shed some light on this. Regulations would allow for people with less than 40% of their time dedicated to instruction (coded as "teacher or record") to be exempt from evaluation process. 

Courtney

http://www.engageny.org/resource/guidance-on-new-york-s-annual-professional-performance-review-law-and-regulations/  

Regional Assessment creation has been devouring all our time lately, but we hope to quickly move beyond that bologna to student-centered activities!   Glory Be.   We took into account the feedback we received from our first-year RAD assessments and hopefully librarians using these will find them a bit easier to deliver.   (Creation of these is a task I wouldn’t wish on my enemies.)